Proverbs 1:1-33
Purpose and Theme of Proverbs
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for gaining wisdom and instruction;
for understanding words of insight;
3 for receiving instruction in prudent behavior,
doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to those who are simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young—
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance—
6 for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
9 They are a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.
10 My son, if sinful men entice you,
do not give in to them.
11 If they say, “Come along with us;
let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,
let’s ambush some harmless soul;
12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave,
and whole, like those who go down to the pit;
13 we will get all sorts of valuable things
and fill our houses with plunder;
14 cast lots with us;
we will all share the loot”—
15 my son, do not go along with them,
do not set foot on their paths;
16 for their feet rush into evil,
they are swift to shed blood.
17 How useless to spread a net
where every bird can see it!
18 These men lie in wait for their own blood;
they ambush only themselves!
19 Such are the paths of all who go after ill-gotten gain;
it takes away the life of those who get it.
Wisdom’s Rebuke
20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud,
she raises her voice in the public square;
21 on top of the wall she cries out,
at the city gate she makes her speech:
22 “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?
How long will mockers delight in mockery
and fools hate knowledge?
23 Repent at my rebuke!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you,
I will make known to you my teachings.
24 But since you refuse to listen when I call
and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
25 since you disregard all my advice
and do not accept my rebuke,
26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you;
I will mock when calamity overtakes you—
27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm,
when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind,
when distress and trouble overwhelm you.
28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer;
they will look for me but will not find me,
29 since they hated knowledge
and did not choose to fear the Lord.
30 Since they would not accept my advice
and spurned my rebuke,
31 they will eat the fruit of their ways
and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.
32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them,
and the complacency of fools will destroy them;
33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm.”
The Proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel were written for gaining wisdom and instruction...They give us understanding words of insight for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise...And the beginning of knowledge is fear of the LORD...And there are people who despise wisdom and Solomon calls them fools...
Some Proverbs on life...Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute...Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it...The wife of noble character who can find?...She is worth far more than rubies....There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death...The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day...Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it...Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him...As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another...Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed are those who heed wisdom's instruction...For he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost. "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you...For receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair...The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding...Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding...A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones...Those who conceal their sins do not prosper, but those who confess and renounce them find mercy...Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans...In their hearts human beings plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps...Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall...A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold...A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger...Those who spare the rod hate their children, but those who love them are careful to discipline them...A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity...Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops...The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives...The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom...Though it cost all you have, get understanding...Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them...My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart...Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised...To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge...In all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight...Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!...One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother...Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise...Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching...Many are the plans in a human heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails...Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction...Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity...Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves...